Africa-Press – Uganda. Former Soroti Municipality Member of Parliament and NRM Vice Chairperson for Eastern Region, Capt. Mike Mukula, has launched Arrow Boys Football Club and the Arrow Football Academy in Soroti, marking what he described as a bold step toward transforming Teso into a football powerhouse.
Mukula unveiled the academy before a large crowd of youths, local leaders and football enthusiasts, describing football as a unifying force and a powerful driver of peace and economic transformation in the sub-region.
“Football is the biggest uniting factor in the whole world,” Mukula said, adding that the new initiative would open opportunities for young people and place Teso firmly on Uganda’s football map.
Introducing the Arrow Football Academy, popularly branded as “The Ninjas,” Mukula said it would become the biggest football nursery ever established in Teso and a pipeline for nurturing elite talent.
“These Ninjas are going to be dangerous. This is the beginning of a fundamental change in football in the Teso sub-region,” he said.
He added that Arrow Boys FC, also known as the Black Bombers, will soon compete with Uganda’s top-flight clubs, including SC Villa, Express and KCCA.
“Tell Villa and Express to prepare themselves. They are coming,” Mukula said as the crowd erupted in chants.
Mukula explained that the academy will identify talent from schools and communities, develop players professionally and prepare them for national teams and international leagues.
Emphasising the economic potential of professional sport, Mukula said football is one of the highest-earning careers globally, noting that success stories in Europe demonstrate how the sport can lift families and entire regions.
“If we have ten boys from here playing for Arsenal, Manchester United or Barcelona, the economy of Teso will change,” he said. “We want our children to reach the European leagues.”
He presented one of the academy’s young strikers from Soroti as evidence of the untapped football talent in the region.
Mukula also announced that Oligoi will be developed into the official home ground for Arrow Boys FC and the academy, with plans to upgrade the facility to meet national standards.
“We want Soroti to have its own sports stadium,” he said, noting that other regions such as Hoima, Gulu, Bukedea and Mbarara already host major sports infrastructure.
He further proposed reclaiming the former Lions Children’s Playground in Soroti City and redeveloping it into a modern sports park dedicated to youth development.
Beyond football, Mukula outlined a wider sports-led development agenda that includes basketball, motor rallying and the establishment of an annual rally championship in Teso, which he said would stimulate tourism and local business.
“Sports tourism will bring people here. They will stay in our hotels, eat our food, visit Lake Kyoga and experience our culture. That is how we grow the economy,” he said.
Mukula revealed plans to set up a working committee to manage Arrow Boys FC and the academy, and said he will pursue partnerships with football clubs and icons in Europe, America and the Middle East.
He said the club’s branding will be used to promote the region internationally, drawing parallels with Rwanda’s global “Visit Rwanda” campaign, with plans to promote a “Visit Teso” identity.
Mukula said the academy builds on his previous youth-focused initiatives, including youth centres and sports programmes, and reflects his belief that empowering young people is key to long-term development.
“The future belongs to the young people. We must give them hope,” he said.
At the close of the event, Mukula unveiled the official colours of Arrow Boys, green and yellow, which he said symbolise the natural beauty of Teso and the promise of opportunity.
Young players later paraded in the new kits to cheers from the crowd.
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